Ghostbuster - A phantom BSP tag fixer [deprecated]

[Conscars 66]

DEPRECATION NOTICE

Although this tool can detect and fix some phantom BSP, it can produce negative side-effects such as collision holes/leaks. It also misses some phantom BSP because the tolerances in detection can be tight and finicky to tune. I can no longer recommend this tool to users and suggest you only use it as a last resort if preferred solutions are not working for you, or you do not have access to the source JMS file and only have a BSP tag to work with. If you have the source JMS and are unable to otherwise resolve your phantom BSP issues, try using phantom_tool instead.

 

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I did a deep dive on what causes phantom BSP a few weeks ago and was able to develop a tool to fix it in compiled scenario_structure_bsp tags. I still suggest you first use the classic tricks like adjusting geometry, ensuring faces in flat surfaces are co-planar, avoiding high poly dense geometry, and preferring 90 degree or shallower angles between faces. However, in a pinch you can use Ghostbuster to fix the tag for you. The tool works by looking for bad BSP3D nodes with dividing planes which incorrectly assume one side is outside the map, and sets that side's child to be the same as the opposite side of the plane.

 

Ghostbuster is a Python command line tool based on Moses' Reclaimer library. You can find installation and usage instructions at the GitHub repo:

 

https://github.com/Sigmmma/ghostbuster/

 

I've also created a c20 page for it:

https://c20.reclaimers.net/h1/tools/ghostbuster/

 

I have tested the tool on Danger Canyon and Blood Gulch and observed it removed the known phantom BSP in those maps once recompiled. It has been used on 1 custom map to my knowledge.

 

 

Edited March 8, 2021 by Conscars

[Kavawuvi 7,026]

Oh, wow, amazing! This was definitely needed for so many years.

[Krazychic 3,311]

I hope that this will fix a map I've kept off the servers. If it does it's a genius tool.

*looks for map to pass on for checking considering I don't host servers any more or play halo*

[MrChromed 59]

Dude, this tool will be HUGELY useful for upcoming projects. I thought there was no way to automate this tedious, painful process. Thank you for posting this!

[Krazychic 3,311]

The tool worked somewhat but will need to be refined. Great work.

[Vaporeon 189]

Great job creating this, many maps have been ruined by these bugs. The more that can be fixed the better.

[PiRate 29]

Does this also fix the BSP leaks?

[Conscars 66]

This does not fix BSP leaks, and after more testing I will add that it doesn't fix phantom BSP very well either. Ghostbuster can create BSP holes/leaks so I can no longer recommend it unfortunately.